A SCRIMMAGE 277 



evidently a reprisal for the treatment they had received 

 at Zcirang at the hands of the Tibetans. I invited both 

 parties to come across, saying I would hear both sides ; 

 but the Garhwalis became defiant, gesticulated wildly, 

 flourished their sticks, and refused to have anything to do 

 with me ; they would take the sheep on, happen what 

 might, and started off, forcing the Jadhs to accompany 

 them ; but the latter broke away, and the principal among 

 them rushed to the river-bank, fell on his knees, and, 

 joining his hands in an attitude of supplication, bellowed 

 piteously for protection from his enemies. The Garhwalis 

 followed him, handled him very roughly, throwing him 

 down and trying to drag him away. But he lay prone on 

 the bank, and shouted and roared louder than ever. I 

 and my men, with a deep and rapid river rushing between, 

 were helpless spectators of this scrimmage. The Tibetan, 

 however, resisted so vigorously that his assailants left him 

 after administering sundry thumps and kicks. The other 

 Jadhs had fled up the river to find a crossing-place, 

 and the Garhwalis went on with the sheep. Though 

 Anparh was much incensed against the Garhwalis and 

 abused them roundly, he soon cooled down, and threw 

 them a pellet of tobacco across the stream, as they said 

 they were dying for a smoke 



The Jadhs came into my camp two hours later ; they had 

 had to go far up the valley to find a safe ford. I gave 

 them a good feed of bread and meat and tea, and a nip of 

 whisky all round at the end. They were grateful, and so 

 cheerful that one would not have thought they had been 

 so recently plundered of all they possessed. The tea was 

 put into a dugchi (cooking vessel) full of water and boiled 

 on the fire, then some salt was thrown in, and, when the 

 decoction was ready, every Tibetan produced his cup from 

 inside his coat, and the tea was ladled out. Some sugar 



